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Celtic Thought For The Day #03: Welcome To The Family

It is widely held that there are six Celtic nations. These are: Brittany (Breizh), Cornwall (Kernow), Wales (Cymru), Scotland (Alba), Ireland (Éire), and the Isle of Man.

I’d like to suggest another two.

Firstly, England. Unlike the aforementioned it has lost much of its obvious Celtic heritage, but the ‘shadows’ of that influence are still there, if you know where to look, and here’s one example: When in London, I live just 150 yards/meters from the River Thames. It was originally called Tamesis, and that was/is the name of the local Celtic goddess. She was ‘replaced’ in later, patriarchal times, with the god Llud, from which Ludgate Hill in central London, gets its name. But, there’s more.

Secondly, I’d suggest you and where you live as a Celtic enclave. Celts were adventurers and travelled afar. Not only by generations of marriage did their physical DNA move around the globe, but so did Celtic thought and religion. ‘Spiritual adoption’ can also make one a latter-day Celt. They were, indeed are, an inclusive, hospitable, family-orientated people.

I’ve met Canadian Celts, American Druids, Norwegian Light-Workers with similar beliefs, and conversed with Celtic Wiccans in Australia and Turkey etc. And now, you! Welcome, Celt!

6 thoughts on “Celtic Thought For The Day #03: Welcome To The Family”

Hi Paul. Yes, you’re absolutely right. Historically, they should be included. I think the book I used was Brit-centric, and with the need to be brief in the post they weren’t included. Thanks for reading the post, and taking the time to comment. GBY

With reference to your comment on Celts ‘spreading their DNA’. As you are promoting Celtic history, may I bring to your attention (and ask you to spread the word) a hereditary disease called Hemochromatosis, otherwise known as ‘The Celtic Curse’? The Celtic curse is a gene fault that effects people from a Celtic background. Basically anyone who is from white Northern European may have this condition, but Welsh, Irish, Scottish and Viking descendants are most at risk. Around 1:200 people of this group will have hemochromatosis but most are unaware until it is too late. The condition causes a build-up of Iron within the body which acts as a poison to the joints and organs, which can prove fatal. It is however easy to test for and easy to treat by the regular removal of blood. There is plenty of additional information on line and as a pagan with the Celtic curse, I always try to raise awareness.

Roger, Thankyou for that information. I checked online – I am the ‘cautious’ kind – and it is as you say, so I’m happy to oblige, pass on details and raise awareness. For those reading this, it is only a small proportion of a small ‘tribe’ that may suffer so it’s not that widespread but anyone, ofcourse, thinking that they may have that hereditary disease should check with their doctor. Thank you, Roger for that. Bless you for your concern.

I believe the young people of England are reclaiming our Celtic heritage in their pursuit of more creative and artistic subjects. The Celts are a deeply soulful people and creativity is the language of the soul. Of course these subjects are seen as secondary, not as important as maths, english, science etc.

I do believe you’re right, Carole. In tough times, as these, I think a number of people are searching for meaning, creativity to express themselves and looking for a deeper spirituality, and are finding it in Celtic heritage.